Leash-controllable dog harness having protective sleeves

ABSTRACT

A leash-controllable dog harness is adapted to inhibit a dog from straining against a leash held by an individual walking the dog, the harness inducing the dog to come to a halt or to walk at a pace acceptable to the leash holder. The harness is composed of a pair of loops and a shoulder junction having left and right openings, each loop being formed by a strap of adjustable length whose leading end is linked to the junction and whose trailing end slides through a respective opening and is coupled to the leash whereby when the leash is strained, both straps are then pulled. The loops are angled with respect to each other to interconnect at a crossover site. When the harness is installed on a dog the shoulder junction then overlies the dog&#39;s shoulder intermediate the right and left forelegs, and the crossover site lies under the dog&#39;s chest, one strap running from the site through the right foreleg crotch, the other strap running from the site through the left foreleg crotch. Should the harnessed dog strain against the leash, this causes both straps to ride up the respective crotches to impose pressure on the highly-sensitive foreleg pits, whereby the dog in order to relieve the resultant discomfort, then relaxes the strain.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of my application Ser. No.08/194,720, filed Feb. 10, 1994, entitled "LEASH-CONTROLLABLE DOGHARNESS" (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,964, granted Nov. 1, 1994) which inturn is a continuation-in-part of the application Ser. No. 08/023,638,filed Feb. 26, 1993, entitled "LEASH-CONTROLLABLE DOG HARNESS"(now U.S.Pat. No. 5,329,885, granted Jul. 19, 1994.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to a dog harness which is connected toa leash held by an individual walking the dog, and more particularly toa leash-controllable dog harness adapted to inhibit the dog fromstraining against the leash and inducing the dog to come to a halt or towalk at a pace acceptable to the leash holder.

2. Status of Prior Art

A leash is a chain or strap attached to the collar or harness of a dog,the leash being used to lead the dog or to hold it in check.

As pointed out in the Bloom U.S. Pat. No. 2,233,397, when a dog strainsagainst a leash attached to a dog harness, it is important that theharness then avoid a choking effect on the throat of the dog or unduepressure on throat muscles, cords and nerves, for these may have adverseeffects on the lungs and heart of the dog. While Bloom discloses anon-choking harness, this harness does not act to discourage the dogfrom straining against the leash. Indeed, because the harness isnon-choking, there is nothing to inhibit such straining and to hold thedog in check.

The need exists, therefore, for a harness to break older dogs of thehabit of straining at the leash and for training younger dogs not tostrain at the leash. When a dog strains at the leash, it may, in doingso, wrest the leash from the hands of its master who then loses controlof the dog. But this is perhaps a less objectionable aspect ofstraining, for in the case of a master of advanced years or inrelatively weakened condition, should the master hold tightly onto thestrained leash to maintain control of the dog, the master may then bepulled to the ground or otherwise upset, with possibly damagingconsequences.

To prevent straining at the leash, hobble-type dog harnesses are known,such as the hobble harness disclosed in the Patience et al. U.S. Pat.No. 2,670,712, which normally permits free movement of the animal butwhich restricts the action of the forelegs when the dog attempts to runaway or otherwise go out of control.

The Patience et al. harness includes a conventional dog collar and ashoulder strap that has hoops at its opposite ends that loosely fit overthe forelegs of the dog. The shoulder strap is adjustable so that theforeleg hoops can be drawn up but not so tightly as to interfere withnormal movement of the dog's forelegs. However, if the dog strains onthe leash, this strain is also exerted on the shoulder strap, and theforeleg hoops are then drawn upwardly so that movement of the forelegsis restrained and the dog will be brought to a halt.

A harness of the Patience et al. type imposes a physical restraint onthe forelegs, and its effectiveness depends on the strength of the dog.Thus with a small dog, this harness may be fully effective, but with alarge and more powerful dog, the hareness may fail to restrain the dog,particularly if he succeeds in wresting the leash from the hands of hismaster.

In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,369 (Sporn), there is disclosed a dogharness to which a leash is attachable, the harness acting to inhibitthe dog from straining against the leash without, however, producing achoking action. The harness comprises a collar that encircles the neckof the dog, and left and right restraint cables whose leading ends areconnected to the front section of the collar at left and right positionsthereon. The restraint cables go loosely under the left and rightforeleg pits of the dog and through respective slip rings attached tothe rear section of the collar, the trailing ends of the cablesterminating in a coupler to which the leash is attached. When theharnessed dog strains at the leash, this acts to tighten the restraintcables which then impose a pressure on the foreleg pits. Because thesepits are highly sensitive, the dog, in order to relieve this pressure,will then cease to strain against the leash and thereby again loosen therestraint cable.

While a harness of the type disclosed in my prior '369 patent iseffective for its intended purpose, it requires a collar whose size isappropriate to the neck size of the dog on which it is installed. Also,this harness entails slip rings on the collar through which therestraint cables pass, the cables terminating in a common coupler towhich the leash is attached. Since the cables are more or less tightenedwhen the dog strains against the leash, the cables are in time abradedby the rings through which they pass.

In my above-identified application, there is disclosed a collarless dogharness composed of a pair of loops that depend from a leash-couplingjunction to which the loops are joined, the loops being angled at thejunction with respect to each other so that they cross over andinterconnect at a crossover site. When the harness is installed on thedog, the coupling junction then overlies the dog's shoulder intermediatethe right and left forelegs, and the crossover site then lies below thedog's chest, one loop runing from the site through the crotch betweenthe chest and the left foreleg, and back to the junction, the other looprunning from this site through the crotch between the chest and theright foreleg, and back to the junction.

As with the harness disclosed in my prior '369 patent, should the leashbe strained, the loops would then ride up the crotches to engage andapply pressure to the sensitive pits of the forelegs to induce the dogto cease straining and thereby relax the discomfort-producing pressure.However, this harness has a distinct advantage over that disclosed in myprior patent, for it does not entail a dog collar.

The loops comprising the harness disclosed in my application are formedof straps of adjustable length, each strap being provided with areleasable buckle which must be unbuckled to install the harness on thedog. These buckles are placed just below the crossover site and pressagainst the chest of the dog, producing some degree of discomfort.Another disadvantage of buckles is that they add significantly to thecost of manufacturing the dog harness.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the main object of this invention is toprovide an improved leash-controllable dog harness of relatively simpledesign adapted to apply pressure to the highly-sensitive pits of thedog's forelegs and thereby inhibit a dog wearing the harness from takingan action that is not acceptable to the holder of the leash.

Among the significant features of an improved leash-controllable dogharness in accordance with the invention are the following:

A. The harness includes no neck collar that must be fitted to the neckof the dog being harnessed, nor does the harness include releasablebuckles that must be unbuckled to install the harness.

B. The harness does not physically restrain or hobble foreleg movementof the dog.

C. The effectiveness of the harness does not depend on the size andstrength of the dog or on its breed, for it is effective on all dogs ofall breeds.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide a harness ofthe above type which includes a pair of loops, one passing through thecrotch between the chest of the dog and its right foreleg, the otherthrough the crotch between the chest and the left foreleg, which loops,when the leash is strained, ride up the crotches to engage and applypressure to the foreleg pits.

Among the important advantages of a harness in accordance with theinvention is that the size of each loop is easily adjusted so that it isappropriate to the form and size of the dog wearing the harness, whichharness is easily installed on the dog or removed therefrom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a leash-controllableharness whose loops are formed of high-strength, flexible fabricwebbing, so that the harness is comfortable to wear and may be massproduced at relatively low cost.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide sleeves for the strapsof the harness which prevent the straps sliding through the sleeves fromchafing the dog.

Briefly stated, these objects are attained in a leash-controllable dogharness adapted to inhibit a dog from straining against the leash heldby an individual walking the dog, the harness inducing the dog to cometo a halt or to walk at a pace acceptable to the leash holder. Theharness is composed of a pair of loops and a shoulder junction havingleft and right openings, each loop being formed by a strap of adjustablelength whose leading end is linked to the junction and whose trailingend slides through a respective opening and is coupled to the leashwhereby when the leash is strained, both straps are then pulled.

The loops are angled with respect to each other to interconnect at acrossover site. When the harness is installed on a dog, the shoulderjunction then overlies the dog's shoulder intermediate the right andleft forelegs, and the crossover site lies under the dog's chest, onestrap running from the site through the right foreleg crotch, the otherstrap running from the site through the left foreleg crotch. Should theharnessed dog strain against the leash, this causes both straps to rideup the respective crotches to impose pressure on the highly-sensitiveforeleg pits, whereby the dog, in order to relieve the resultantdiscomfort, then relaxes the strain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects andfurther features thereof, reference is made to the following detaileddescription to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a dog wearing a harness of the type disclosed in my patentapplication;

FIG. 2 illustrates, in perspective, an improved dog harness inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 shows the harness installed on a dog;

FIG. 4 illustrates how the trailing ends of the loop straps are fastenedtogether so that they can be coupled to a leash;

FIG. 5 shows a protective sleeve for a harness strap;

FIG. 6 shows the sleeve mounted on a loop strap going through a forelegcrotch; and

FIG. 7 is a section taken through the sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The Prior Harness

Since a dog harness in accordance with the invention is an improvementover a harness of the type disclosed in the above-identifiedapplication, in order to best appreciate the distinctions between theseharnesses, we shall first describe the prior harness in connection withFIG. 1.

This harness includes a pair of loops 10 and 11 formed by straps whichmay be of fabric web or other material whose lengths are adjustable bymeans of tri-slides 12 and 13. The adjustment is made by sliding theseslides along the loop straps. Also provided is a diamond-shaped shoulderjunction 14 divided into two triangular openings by a diagonal bar 15.One end of loop 10 is coupled to the lower left arm of shoulder junction14, and one end of loop 11 is coupled to the lower right arm of theshoulder junction.

The other end of loop 10 passes through the left opening in the shoulderjunction and slides against the upper right arm of this junction. Theseends terminate in a common harness coupling ring 16.

The metal snap connector 17 of a leash 18 is coupled to coupling ring15; hence, when one pulls the leash, the ends of loops 10 and 11 slideover the upper arms of the junction to tighten the loops. Loop 10 isprovided with a plastic side release buckle 19, and loop 11 with a siderelease buckle 20 so that the loops can be unbuckled from the dog toremove the harness.

To install the harness, the junction 14 is placed on the dog's shouldermidway between the dog's left and right forelegs. Loop 10 is buckled sothat it passes through the crotch between chest CH and the left forelegof the dog D. And loop 11 is buckled so that it passes through thecrotch between chest CH and the right foreleg, the loops being angledwith respect to each other and crossing over at a site 21 where they arestitched together.

The sizes of the loops are pre-adjusted so that when installed on thedog, the loops are somewhat loose and do not bind the dog at any point.But however adjusted in size, the loops cannot become disengaged fromshoulder junction 14, for bar 15 on the junction prevents the ends ofthe loops coupled to common ring 16 from slipping out of the junction.

When, therefore, the harnessed dog is led by an individual holding leash18 at an acceptable pace and the walking dog does not strain against theleash, the harness remains loose and comfortable, and the loops passingthrough the crotches are then disengaged from the sensitive pits of thedog's forelegs.

However, should the dog lurch ahead or seek to increase its pace so thatit is moving faster than the individual walking the dog, the leash willthen be strained. This strain will act to exert a pull on ring 16 whichwill draw the ends of loops 10 and 11 coupled thereto further out ofjunction 14 and in doing so tighten the loops passing through thecrotches, thereby causing the loops to ride up the crotches to engageand press against the foreleg pits. The resultant discomfort will inducethe dog to relax the strain on the leash so that the loops no longerpress against the sensitive pits.

Improved Harness

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an improved harness in accordance with theinvention is composed of a pair of loops formed by straps 21 and 22 offabric webbing or similar material, and a shoulder junction 23 having agenerally triangular form. Junction 23 is provided with a T-shaped bar24 whose horizontal component bridges opposing sides of the junction andwhose vertical component is joined to the upper end of the junction. Thebar defines left and right openings.

The leading end of strap 21 is linked to the lower right arm 23R of thejunction and the leading end of strap 22 is coupled to the lower rightarm 23R of the junction. The loops created by the straps are angled withrespect to each other and are interconnected by a rivet at a crossoversite 25 which when the harness is installed, then lies below the chestCH of the dog.

The length of the strap 21 between its leading end linked to arm 23C andcrossover site 25 is adjustable by means of a tri-slide 26 and itslength between this site and the trailing end 21T the strap isadjustable by means of a tri-slide 27. The length of strap 22 betweenits leading end linked to arm 23R and crossover site 25 is adjustable bymeans of a tri-slide 28 and is length between this site and the trailingend 22T of the strap is adjustable by means of tri-slide 29.

The trailing end 20T of strap 21 slides through the right opening inshoulder junction 23 and terminates in a grommet 30. The trailing end22T of strap 22 slide through the left opening in shoulder junction 23and terminates in a grommet 31.

As best seen in FIG. 4, secured to the inner surface of trailing end 21Tof strap 21, just below the grommet 30, is one component V_(a) of aVELCRO nylon hook and loop fastener, while secured to the inner surfaceof trailing end 22T of strap 22 just below grommet 31 is the othercomponent V_(b) of the fastener.

When the two components of the VELCRO fastener are fastened together thegrommets 30 and 31 lie in registration with each other and theretractable coupling ring 16 of the snaps connector 17 may then belinked to the grommets.

Hence when the leash is pulled, the action exerts a pull on both strapsto cause the loops formed by the straps to tighten and ride up theforeleg crotches of the dog to apply pressure to the highly-sensitiveforeleg pits and in doing so induce the dog to relieve this pressure byrelaxing the strain exertion on the leash.

Should the dog's master wish to give the dog his freedom bydisconnecting the leash from the harness, this action will not cause theharness to come off the dog, for the trailing ends 21T and 22T of thestraps are held together by the VELCRO fastener and therefore will notslip out of the shoulder junction 23, for the joined together trailingends will be intercepted by the T-bar 24.

If one wishes to remove the harness from the dog, to do so, one has onlyto pull apart the trailing ends of the straps, so that they can slip outof the shoulder junction, the straps then being withdrawn from theforeleg crotches.

And to install the harness on the dog, one has only to place theshoulder junction on the shoulder of the dog and pass the straps underthe crotches, and slide the trailing ends of the straps through theopenings in the junction. The harness includes no buckles and there isno need therefore to buckle the straps to complete the loops.

Protective Sleeves

In the harness shown in FIG. 3, straps 21 and 22 which go through theleft and right foreleg crotches, when they are tightened, they rubagainst the surface of the dog and with continued use the action maycause chafing or irritation.

To avoid such chafing without however interfering with the ability ofthe harness to control the dog on which it is installed, mounted on eachstrap is an elongated protective sleeve 32. This sleeve is shown inconnection with strap 21 in FIGS. 5 to 7.

Sleeve 32 has a tubular inner liner 33 formed of woven or knitted nylonor similar smooth fabric material, on which is anchored a soft coat 34of Sherpa or cashmere wool or other soft, non-abrading material.

Sleeve 32, when mounted on a strap, is so placed on the installedharness as to pass through the related foreleg of the dog. When thestrap is tightened because the leash is strained, the sleeve does notshift axially, but the strap which is within the sleeve, slides alongthe surface of the smooth, low-friction inner liner, and as it istighened, causes the sleeve to ride up the foreleg crotch to engage theforeleg pit to apply pressure thereto. But because the sleeve is softand not shifted axially, no chafing takes place.

The inner liner 33 of the sleeve is preferably fabricated of stretchablematerial so that when mounting the sleeve on a strap, the sleeve whosediameter is somewhat smaller than the width of the tri-slide on thestrap to adjust its length, will stretch to permit the slide to passthrough the sleeve.

While there has been shown a preferred embodiment of an improvedleash-controllable dog harness and protective sleeves therefor, it willbe appreciated that many changes may be made thereon without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A harness for a dog having right and left foreleg crotchesleading to sensitive foreleg pits, and a leash coupled to the harnesswhich extends to the rear of the dog to effect control of the dog; saidharness comprising two straps which pass through the respective crotchesand are coupled to the leash whereby when the leash is pulled, thestraps then ride up the crotches to press against the foreleg pits tocontrol the dog, each strap having mounted thereon a tubular sleeve offlexible material which extends through the related crotch and engagesthe related foreleg pit, the strap being slidable in the sleeve whoseexterior is formed of soft material to prevent chafing of the dog by thesliding strap.
 2. A harness as set forth in claim 1, in which the sleeveis formed of stretchable fabric material.
 3. A harness as set forth inclaim 1, in which the sleeve has an inner liner having a smooth surfaceto facilitate sliding of the strap therethrough.
 4. A harness as setforth in claim 3, in which the sleeve has an outer surface formed of amaterial having the soft properties of wool.
 5. A harness, as set forthin claim 1, in which the two straps are included in a pair of loopswhich are angled with respect to each other to interconnect at acrossover site intermediate the foreleg crotches.
 6. A collarlessharness for a dog having on either side of a shoulder, right and leftforelegs whose crotches lead to sensitive foreleg pits, in combinationwith a leash coupled to the harness, said harness being adapted toinhibit the dog harnessed from straining against the leash, said harnesscomprising two straps extending from the shoulder of the dog and passingthrough the foreleg crotches to join said leash, said leash whenstrained by the dog causing the straps joined thereto to ride up theforeleg crotches to press against the foreleg pits and thereby inducethe dog to cease straining against the leash.